The pitfalls of mail order delivery

At the recent XXXIV Congress of Delegates of the Czech Chamber of Pharmacists, the discussion on the possibility of introducing mail-order dispensing of prescription drugs was reopened. The topic has been gaining momentum in recent years, especially in connection with the digitalization of healthcare and the growing demand of patients for more convenient services. Pharmacists warn that the introduction of this service without clearly defined rules can bring serious risks in terms of patient safety and the availability of pharmacy care.

Risk of undetected errors

One of the most serious problems is the lack of professional supervision. Pharmacists routinely detect and correct errors in prescribed medication (e.g. incorrect dosage, duplications or drug interactions). It is this supervision that often prevents serious health complications.

Transportation and storage problems

Another risk is inappropriate storage conditions (from production to dispensing in the pharmacy, the temperature regime is strictly monitored). However, after leaving the pharmacy, this control ends and the patient has no way of verifying whether the medicinal product has been damaged in any way.

Insufficient information for the patient

Communication with the patient is also an important part of dispensing medication. A courier cannot replace the role of a pharmacist. The patient thus loses the opportunity for immediate professional advice, which can lead to incorrect use of medication or delays in recognizing complications.

Impacts on small pharmacies

If mail-order dispensing were to be expanded without clear rules, it could weaken the availability of pharmacies in smaller towns and villages. Brick-and-mortar pharmacies are not just a place to dispense medicines, but often represent the only easily accessible contact with a specialist.

What should a secure model look like?

If mail-order dispensing is to expand in the future, experts emphasize the need for strict regulation. Mail-order dispensing should always be tied to a brick-and-mortar pharmacy, which will bear full responsibility for the quality and correct delivery of medicines.

Free according to the web portal of the Czech Chamber of Pharmacists, 28.11.2025